It's a shame Fight Club didn't do better. I think it's Fincher's best film - I think it's better than Seven - much better. I own it and watch it again every several months or so and it's still fresh. It'll be a shame if this one follows suit.
But you know what? People are stupid. Largely, it's true. They want to be "entertained," and then they want to go home and not have to think about it any more. Hell, they'd rather not have to think about it while they're watching it if that can be helped. I'll tell you what - as you and I just discussed privately, KD, there's a scene in this movie that's so disturbing, it keeps flashing across my mind when I least expect it and literally giving me a chill. Brilliantly, devastatingly done. I just asked my husband if it keeps coming back to him, too, and he goes, "OH yeah. And thanks so much for reminding me."
I think it'll ultimately make back its costs and then some. And FWIW, the people around us last night applauded when the credits started to roll, and were saying as they were walking out, "Wow. That was GREAT." I still just felt a little stunned. Hmmmm... Kinda like how I felt at the end of another movie after my first viewing of it...